Counseling Center

Contact

Hours

How to make an appointment:To schedule an appointment, call (440) 826-2180 or stop in at the Health Center. There is no charge to students for individual, group or urgent/emergency counseling services. A small fee is charged for psychiatry services.

Vision and Values

Counseling Services focuses on positive growth and development. Services emphasize client strengths and well-being rather than psychological pathology. Counseling Services also embraces the following values:

Diversity — Counseling Services is committed to providing a welcoming, affirming and inclusive environment. Emphasis is placed on having a diverse staff with competence in providing multicultural counseling.

Creativity — Counseling Services encourages creativity as a gateway toward innovation and growth. Maintaining an attitude of creative openness benefits both client and staff. Clients benefit by having access to services they find current and accessible. Staff benefit by working in an environment where their ideas are honored and supported.

Excellence — Counseling Services strives to provide the highest quality services consistent with professional standards. The staff adheres to all professional and ethical standards and is encouraged to stay current with the latest research on counseling practice through professional development opportunities.

Friendliness — Consistent with BW's commitment to creating a supportive environment for its students, Counseling Services creates a welcoming and approachable atmosphere. Students have easy access to services tailored to their individual needs and concerns.

Collaboration — Counseling Services makes every effort to collaborate with the Division of Student Affairs, the University and the broader community while maintaining confidentiality for its clients.

A Holistic Approach — Counseling Services reflects a philosophy of seeing each student in a multidimensional manner. Along with the psychological aspects of each client, dimensions such as gender identification, spirituality, race/ethnicity, culture, social and issues of development also are considered when treating clients.

The mission of Baldwin Wallace University Counseling Services is to support and enhance the personal growth and development of BW's student body. Services provided are tailored to assist students in meeting their personal, academic, social and career goals. Services to meet the mental health needs of the BW student body are provided with an emphasis on maintaining the high standards of the counseling and psychological profession. In that, a commitment to client confidentiality, ethical behavior and counseling practice that reflects current research and standards are central to our mission and daily practice.

Baldwin Wallace University Counseling Services is committed to contributing to the region's ongoing efforts to train and produce quality clinicians in the field of counseling and psychology. Toward this goal, Counseling Services has established itself as a highly sought after internship/practicum training site focused on maintaining exceptional standards of excellence in training counseling and psychology students as they meet requirements for internship/practicum placement, and ultimately, licensure. Clinical experiences that include individual and/or group therapy, crisis intervention, campus outreach and intensive individual and group supervision provided by licensed mental health professionals are central to our model.

Counseling Services recognizes that having a student in college can be stressful for families, especially if their student is having trouble adjusting to college life. Here are answers to the most common questions asked regarding Counseling Services:

I think my student needs counseling services. How can I know for sure?Family members are often the first to notice when students are encountering overwhelming stress or having problems coping which can interfere with academic performance, personal relationships and daily behavior. Some warnings signs that might signal the need for a referral to Counseling Services include:

changes in sleep, appetite or energy level

social withdrawal or isolation

changes in personal hygiene

signs of excessive alcohol and/or drug use

expressions of sadness, unhappiness or mistrust

change in academic performance; absenteeism in class

loss of interest in activities that were previously pleasurable or meaningful

crying spells

physical complaints without a known medical cause

unusual repetitive or ritualistic behavior

relationship problems with family or friends

talk or reference, whether direct or indirect, to suicide

previous emotional disturbance or treatment

recent traumatic event or loss

How do I encourage my student to seek help?Talk with your student in a caring and direct manner about the behavior(s) that concern you. Suggest Counseling Services as a resource. Be knowledgeable about our services and how to schedule an appointment. For students who express ambivalence about seeking support, normalize the process of pursuing counseling by:

Reassuring the student that counseling services are appropriate for anyone needing assistance in coping with and resolving emotional and/or interpersonal concerns.

Letting the student know that no problem is too big or too small for counseling.

Informing the student that he/she can make an appointment to speak to a counselor once without making a commitment to ongoing counseling.

Reminding the student that any information shared during counseling sessions is kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone without his/her written permission.

Acknowledging, validating and discussing any fears or concerns about seeking help. Some students may feel that counseling is an admission of weakness or failure. Tell students that it takes considerable courage and integrity to face oneself, acknowledge one's troubles or difficulties and admit the desire or need for assistance.

Suggest that the student visit the Counseling Services website to learn about the staff and services offered.

Consult with Counseling Services staff!

My student refuses to seek help even though I'm convinced he/she needs it. What can I do?This is a tough situation that often leaves parents feeling helpless. Except in cases of imminent danger to self or others, it is important to remember that counseling is a personal choice. Continue to listen and be supportive. Your student might still be considering counseling or may want to make the decision in private. If you continue to be concerned about behavior(s), please consult with Counseling Services staff at (440) 826-2180.

If my student seeks help at Counseling Services, will I be informed and how much will I be involved?Confidentiality is an essential part of any counseling relationship. Counseling Services adheres to confidentiality guidelines mandated by Ohio law as well as those required by professional licensing boards. We understand and appreciate that parents often wish to be involved when their student seeks counseling. Unfortunately, the aforementioned confidentiality guidelines do not permit us to talk with parents in any way about their student's participation in counseling without the student's written consent. We also cannot confirm or deny that a student has come to a counseling session or disclose the name of their counselor. However, you should always feel free to contact us if you have any concerns about your student and/or want us to be aware of something concerning your student.

Sophia Kallergis, Psy.D., DirectorSophia Kallergis is director of the counseling center. She received her master's degree in clinical counseling from Cleveland State and her Doctor of Psychology from Wright State University. She has been working in college mental health for over 12 years and is thrilled to be at here at BW and be a part of this vibrant and dynamic community. Her areas of clinical interest include adjustment and relationship concerns, multicultural issues, self-esteem and identity exploration and body image and disordered eating concerns. She enjoys working with first generation college students and international students and strives to assist all individuals in developing a healthy lifestyle and effectively managing conflict and stress. She believes that lasting change comes from self-awareness and self-compassion which is enhanced through a collaborative therapeutic work relationship that promotes empowerment and respects self-determination.

Timothy Hall, M.Ed., PCC-S, Assistant Director of Outreach and PreventionTimothy Hall is a licensed clinical counselor with a background in residence life, community mental health and college mental health. He received his master’s degree from the University of Georgia and finds working as a counselor to be an immensely rewarding experience. His professional interests include depression and anxiety, adjustment issues, identity exploration and relationships.

Chris Humpage, Psy.D., Assistant Director/Training DirectorChris Humpage earned a Doctor of Psychology from Wright State University School of Professional Psychology in 2011, and has since worked in university counseling settings for most of the past 6 years. He is drawn to the positive energy and pursuit of knowledge found on university campuses, and aims to contribute to student development inside and outside of the psychotherapy office. His clinical interest areas include relationship, mood, substance use, gender socialization, and trauma-related concerns. He considers attention to unique client diversity variables to be of utmost importance in effective psychotherapy. His approach to therapy integrates empirical and clinical research with attention to unique client needs and characteristics to find opportunities for growth and change in the client's desired direction. In addition, he finds supervising trainees in psychology and other mental health disciplines to be a rewarding experience that inspires him to continually advance his own knowledge in the field.

Michael Nassif, LISW, Social Worker & SupervisorMichael Nassif is currently a licensed independent social worker and part-time philosophy professor at Cleveland State and Kent State University where he primarily teaches bioethics and engineering ethics along with various logic courses. He has graduate degrees from both Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University. He also works in private practice in Middleburg Heights. He specializes in trauma, couples counseling, depression, anxiety and existential issues. He is trained in EMDR and The Gottman Couples Method. He is also a former intern at BW's counseling services. He is very happy to be back working as a counselor and a supervisor.

Laura Sprague, CNP, Psychiatric Care"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life" (Chinese proverb).

This has been Laura Sprague's inspiration throughout her career. Since 2010, she has immersed herself in the field of mental health. She has worked with severe chronic mental illness, forensic psychiatry, community and private outpatient populations, consultation and inpatient hospitalist work. She has also taught psychiatric nursing at Walsh University in North Canton and graduate psychiatric nursing at The University of Akron. She joined the fantastic counseling center staff here at BW in 2016, where she is pleased to have the opportunity to work with students in managing symptoms through a combination of counseling and medication therapy.

Elizabeth C. van der Oord, Ph.D., Licensed PsychologistDr. van der Oord received her doctorate degree in counseling psychology from The University of Akron (APA accredited). She also completed a health psychology predoctoral internship at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (APA accredited) with rotations in the general medicine clinics, Pain Management Center and Recovery Resource Center. Recently, she completed two 2-year postdoctoral fellowships, one at Baldwin Wallace University Counseling Services and the other at a pediatric private practice specializing in the treatment of children and adolescents.

Dr. van der Oord is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Ohio Psychological Association and the Society of Counseling Psychology. Her clinical interests include motivation, sports injury and performance, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, health promotion (smoking cessation, weight reduction, stress management, etc.), multicultural issues, adjustment to chronic illness and relationships. Although she has worked with diverse populations, she particularly enjoys working with college students.

Laura Baskin, Counseling InternLaura Baskin is currently a candidate for a Master of Science in social administration with a concentration in adult mental health at Case Western Reserve University. Before graduate school, she received a Bachelor of Science in political science from Hiram College. She is excited to be part of the BW community, which is similar to her alma mater. She enjoys utilizing a dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) informed approach when working with clients. Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety, eating disorders and general adjustment issues that can cause emotional stress. She believes in a holistic approach to health and encourages everyone to attend to their emotional, physical and social needs in order to reach the level of life satisfaction they deserve.

Jessy Keppler, Counseling InternJessy Keppler is a clinical counseling student completing a Master of Education at Cleveland State University. Her professional interests include depression and anxiety, stress and wellness, LGBT issues, and cross-cultural counseling. She has a particular interest in counseling college populations, but she has had experience working in a partial hospitalization program for children and teens.

Baron Rogers, Counseling InternBaron Rogers is a doctoral student in counseling psychology at the University of Akron Collaborative Program in Counseling Psychology. He has worked as a case manager and qualified mental health service provider at Minority Behavioral Health Group for four years. He has professional experience in servicing those with anxiety, anger, grief, depression, hoarding behavior, relational conflict, adjustment challenges and time management. His professional interests include marginalized identities, intersecting identities, gender identities, racial identities, gender roles, masculinity and African-American issues.

Seyma Saritoprak, Counseling InternSeyma Saritoprak is a third-year student in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Case Western Reserve University. She received a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling from John Carroll University in 2015. She is a licensed professional counselor. She has had previous clinical training in community mental health agencies and hospital settings. Her professional interests include studying the psychology of religiosity and spirituality, and working with clients from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Erica Wiley-Whiteman, Counseling InternErica Wiley-Whiteman is a fourth-year student in the counseling psychology doctoral program at Cleveland State University. She received a Master of Science in counseling psychology in 2014 from Towson University near Baltimore, Md. She has received previous clinical training in university counseling centers as well as community mental health centers. Her professional interests include managing depression and anxiety, improving relationships, developing an authentic sense of self, increasing self-compassion, and exploring how multicultural identities impact lived experiences.

Julie Dailey, RN, Office ManagerJulie Dailey has worked as a nurse at BW since 2004. She also earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from BW and really enjoyed her college experience here. After earning her degree, she went to nursing school to become a pediatric nurse.

Karen Heft, B.S., Part-time Office ManagerKaren Heft has worked with individuals from early childhood all the way through to seniors living out their golden years and enjoys meeting and interacting with people of all ages. She finds working with college students very enjoyable because they're making decisions and laying the foundations for their future through learning and exploration.

The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) has a team of trained experts able to provide confidential support, resources and services to students, faculty and staff at BW. CRCC is available to any member of the BW community who has experienced any form of sexual assault, harassment or abuse, or would like to learn more about how to help someone. Students have options whether they were hurt recently or prior to coming to campus.